Choosing a Comfortable Home Decor Style

We’ve all at some point chanced upon a beautiful décor idea that we wanted to replicate in our home. But everything we like may not necessarily be what our home needs. Our décor should not only enhance the beauty of our homes, but should also suit our lifestyle and our climate. Moreover, the people living in the house should be comfortable with the setting. After all, what’s the point of delicate porcelain and crystal when you have two boisterous little ones at home! So how can you make sure your décor blends in with your way of living?

Knowing what suits you and your family

Be comfortable with your design and layout: Take our kitchens, for instance. Most Indian kitchens in any part of the world churn out good old Indian food. Shouldn’t our kitchens therefore be built for Indian cooking? While a modular kitchen has its benefits, an open kitchen and a chimney are things that don’t particularly suit Indian cooking styles. Similarly, design other living spaces based on your lifestyle or convenience.

Colors: That hot pink wall may be in fashion, but would all of your family be comfortable coming home to a hot pink wall? Choose colors that the entire household is comfortable with. It’s their home too. Create harmony and don’t be color heavy. Stick to two or three colors per room; repeat them on your upholstery, walls and accessories. For a palette, take inspiration from nature and its colors. You won’t go wrong.

Furniture: Sit back and imagine all the ways your family relaxes at home. Do they spend a lot of time in the living room? If so, your living room should be as functional as it is aesthetic. There’s no point having that beautiful leather sofa if you live in a country that has extreme weather conditions. A simple Indian-style sofa upholstered in striking colors is a much nicer option. Glass tables are a big no-no for homes that have kids running around. When placing furniture do think of ease of movement, especially if it’s a space used by seniors.

Accessories: They add character to homes. You don’t have to buy expensive ones. Rummage through your old brass collections and display them on a table. A family of booklovers? Then display your collection of books – stacked high, as a base for a vase, or on the coffee table. The oldest accessory – a display of family photographs – is still very fashionable and looks great!

Balance: Have you seen homes with lovely modern lines only to be spoilt by an out of fashion eighties couch and a formica-topped table? There are also houses that are beautifully and charmingly old in architecture but completely done up in the modern style. Both these extreme décor styles are not recommended. The results are much better if you respect the architecture and take a cue from it. If you do want to mix up old and new styles, try and find a balance. Connect with the architecture, and you will know just the right things to keep.

A home need not be stuffed with expensive, modern buys to look good. It is the small details that turn our houses into homes. Unfortunately, in our quest to imitate modern trends, many of us turn them into cold, characterless spaces.

Attempt a design only if you feel comfortable with it and know you can carry it off. Remember, a home is only warm and welcoming if it’s a reflection of who you are.

Written by Sharon Colaco D’Souza for Indusladies.com. Sharon Colaco D’Souza is a Pune-based freelance writer and marketing collateral consultant. She writes a popular blog where she shares ideas and inspiration to help people put together simple, striking homes.
<!--EndFragment-->